Content delivery network with deep caching infrastructure

ABSTRACT

Embodiments herein include methods and systems for use in delivering resources to a client device over a local network. An exemplary system comprises a plurality of caching devices operable to cache resources on behalf of a plurality of content providers, and a local caching device communicatively situated between an access network and the client device, wherein the access network is communicably situated between the plurality of caching devices and the local caching device. The local caching device is operable to retrieve a requested resource from at least one of the plurality of caching devices, deliver the requested resource to the client device over the local network, and store the requested resource for future requests by other client devices.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit ofpriority to co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/360,551, filed Jan. 27, 2012, titled “Content Delivery Network withDeep Caching Infrastructure,” wherein the entire contents of which arefully incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. ApplicationSer. No. 13/360,551 claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/437,544, filed Jan. 28, 2011, titled “ContentDelivery Network with Deep Caching Infrastructure,” and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/486,039, filed May 13, 2011, titled “ContentDelivery Network with Deep Caching Infrastructure,” wherein the entirecontents of each are fully incorporated by reference herein for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND

Networks that are engaged to deliver electronic resources, such asvideos, images, audio files, documents, software, and the like, to endusers on the Internet on behalf of owners and providers of thoseresources (“content providers”) are commonly referred to as ContentDelivery Networks (CDNs). A primary purpose of a CDN is to distributeresources efficiently to client devices on behalf of one or more contentproviders, preferably via a public Internet. Both end-users (clients)and content providers benefit from using a CDN. By using a CDN, acontent provider is able to improve the speed and reliability of contentdelivery to its end-users, and delivery capability without deployingadditional infrastructure. Clients benefit by being able to obtaincontent with fewer delays.

SUMMARY

Embodiments herein include an example system for use in deliveringresources to client devices in a local network, wherein the systemcomprises a plurality of caching devices operable to cache resources onbehalf of a plurality of content providers, and a local caching devicecommunicatively situated between an access network and the clientdevice. The access network is communicably situated between theplurality of caching devices and the local caching device. The localcaching device is operable to, in response to a request for a resourceby a client device, retrieve the requested resource from at least one ofthe plurality of caching devices, wherein the requested resource istransmitted between the at least one plurality of caching devices andthe local caching device over the access network. The access network isfurther operable to deliver the requested resource to the client deviceover the local network and store the requested resource for futurerequests by other client devices.

In an example embodiment, at least one of the plurality of cachingdevices is part of a cluster of caching devices.

In an example embodiment, in response to the local caching devicerequesting the requested resource from the at least one of the pluralityof caching devices, the at least one of the plurality of caching devicesis operable to retrieve the requested resource from at least one of anorigin server of the content provider associated with the requestedresource and a peer caching device.

In an example embodiment, the local caching device is dedicated to theclient device.

In an example embodiment, the local caching device is a master cacheaccessible by a community of local caching devices and the community oflocal caching devices is communicatively coupled via at least one of ashared wireless frequency and a shared powerline. Furthermore, a secondlocal caching device can be prompted to opt-in to join the community oflocal caching devices.

In an example embodiment, a proxy device operable to intercept a requestfor the requested resource. In another example embodiment, the requestis a Domain Name System (DNS) request and the proxy device is operableto redirect the client device to the local caching device for deliveryof the requested resource over the local network. In another exampleembodiment, the request is an application protocol request such as aHyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request. In yet another exampleembodiment, the proxy device is the local caching device and, inresponse to intercepting the request for the requested resource, thelocal caching device is operable to redirect the client device to asecond local caching device communicatively situated between the accessnetwork and the client device. The second local caching device isoperable to, in response to the redirected request by the client device,retrieve the requested resource from at least one of the plurality ofcaching devices, wherein the requested resource is transmitted betweenthe at least one plurality of caching devices and the second localcaching device over the access network. The second local caching deviceis also operable to deliver the requested resource to the client deviceover the local network and store the requested resource for futurerequests by other client devices.

In an example embodiment, the proxy device is operable to determine,based on certain criteria, to which of a plurality of local cachingdevices to redirect the client device for delivery of the requestedresource. For example, the certain criteria for each of the plurality oflocal caching devices can comprise availability, relative load, relativeconnectivity, availability, and whether a given local caching device hasa copy of the requested resource. The proxy device is operable toreceive the certain criteria via a push or pull from the plurality ofcaching devices. In another example embodiment, the certain criteria islocally generated at the proxy device and is based on a request historyat the proxy device.

Embodiments herein include an example method for proactively loadingresources on a local caching device associated with a community of localcaching devices, wherein the community of local caching devices iscommunicatively coupled via an access network to at least one contentdelivery network (CDN) caching device. The example method comprisessteps for, in response to determining that a given resource meetscertain popularity criteria and is not stored on the local cachingdevice, determining whether the given resource is stored on at least oneother local caching device in the community. If so, method comprisessteps for retrieving the given resource from the at least one otherlocal caching device, wherein the at least one other local cachingdevice has determined that the given resource meets certain popularitycriteria and has retrieved the given resource from the at least one CDNcaching device via the access network. The example method furthercomprises steps for, in response to determining that the given resourceis not stored on at least one other local caching device in thecommunity, retrieving the given resource from the at least one CDNcaching device via the access network.

The example method further comprises steps for prompting a given localcaching device that is not already associated with the community oflocal caching devices to join the community of local caching devices,and, if the given local caching device affirmatively responds to theprompt to join the community of local caching devices, adding the givenlocal caching device to the community of local caching devices.

In an example embodiment, the certain popularity criteria comprise anumber of requests for the given resource that were received at thelocal caching device during a given time interval, availability ofstorage space on the local caching device, total capacity of the localcaching device, type of storage on the local caching device, andpopularity rankings of other resources stored on the local cachingdevice.

Embodiments herein include an example system comprising a redirectionserver and a plurality of caching devices situated within a wirelessnetwork. The redirection server is operable to receive a request for aresource originating from a wireless client device connected to thewireless network, wherein the redirection server is further operable toselect at least one of the plurality of caching devices to deliver therequested resource to the wireless client device based on at whether acaching device has the requested resource, proximity of the cachingdevice to the wireless client device, and wireless network conditions.The selected at least one caching device is operable to initiatedelivery of the requested resource to the wireless client device fromwithin the wireless network.

In an example embodiment, the plurality of caching devices are operableto retrieve the requested resource from one or more content deliverynetwork (CDN) caching devices communicatively coupled with the wirelessnetwork.

In an example embodiment, the redirection server is operable tointercept the request and determine whether to select at least one ofthe plurality of caching devices based on a popularity of the requestedresource. The redirection server is also operable to redirect thewireless client to the at least one selected caching device for deliveryof the requested resource.

In an example embodiment, the redirection server is situated within thewireless network.

In an example embodiment, a caching device is locally proximate to thewireless client device and is operable to wirelessly delivery therequested resource to the wireless client device. The locally proximatecaching device is further operable to retrieve the requested resourcefrom one or more content delivery network (CDN) caching devicescommunicatively coupled with the wireless network. In anotherembodiment, the locally proximate caching device is a Wi-Fi hotspot.

In an example embodiment, a caching device is situated within a cellularcore network and/or a radio access network of the Wireless network. Inanother embodiment, a caching device is proximately situated with atleast one of a radio network controller (RNC), a serving general packetradio service (GPRS) support node (SGSN), and a gateway GPRS supportnode (GGSN) of the wireless network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structure, will become more apparent upon consideration ofthe following description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example network environment 100 suitable forimplementing various embodiments disclosed herein, including a highlevel depiction of a content delivery network (CDN) in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the CDN of FIG. 1 having deep caching infrastructurein accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3A illustrates the CDN of FIG. 1 having deep caching infrastructurein accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3B illustrates the CDN of FIG. 1 having deep caching infrastructurein accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example process for retrieving a resource usingthe CDN of FIG. 2 in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example process for retrieving a resource usingthe CDN of FIG. 2 in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example process for initializing the deep cachinginfrastructure of FIG. 3A in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6B illustrates an example process for proactively loading contentin accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6C illustrates an example process for determining popularity inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6D illustrates an example process for replicating objects inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates the CDN of FIG. 1 adapted for a wireless network inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates the CDN of FIG. 1 adapted for a wireless network inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates the CDN of FIG. 1 adapted for a wireless network inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates the CDN of FIG. 1 adapted for a wireless network inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the present invention has been described with reference tovarious embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to the details thereof. Various modifications and substitutionswill occur to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Deep Caching with Access Networks

FIG. 1 illustrates an example network environment 100 suitable forimplementing various embodiments disclosed herein. The example networkenvironment 100 comprises the Internet 101 (i.e., a large and diversepublic network comprising one or more interconnected asynchronoussystems) communicably coupled to access networks 102, 104, and 106. Notethat access networks 102, 104, and 106 can be under the control of oroperated/maintained by one or more entities, such as, for example, oneor more Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that provide access to theInternet 101 for consumers/end-users (e.g., residential, enterprise,etc.) and/or content providers. In the example network environment 100of FIG. 1, each access network provides Internet access to severalresidential end-users, denoted as houses.

Network environment 100 further comprises one or more CDNs for deliveryof electronic resources (e.g., video, images, music, software, games,cloud resources, etc.) and other content from content providers toend-users across Internet 101. The one or more CDNs each have a numberof CDN caches located in various strategic locations (both physical andlogical) in Internet 101—e.g., CDN cache cluster 110 (DC), CDN cachecluster 112 (NYC), CDN cache cluster 114 (CHI), CDN cache cluster 116(SEA), CDN cache cluster 118 (LA), and CDN cache cluster 120 (HOU).

At a high level, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate example network environments200 and 300 suitable for implementing various embodiments disclosedherein. These networks are used to deliver resources to clients that arecommunicatively connected to an access network, and each includeembodiments of what are referred to interchangeably as “deep caches,”“shared caches” or “local caches,” which are intended to represent cachedevices on the client-side (or subscriber-side) of the access networks.For example, the client-side (or subscriber-side) of the access networkcan include cache devices that are topologically, physically, and/orlogically closer to clients than an access network's Internet connectionpoints. Such so-called “deep caches,” “shared caches” or “local caches,”which are preferably operated by or on behalf of CDN providers, provideclient devices the opportunity to retrieve resources without having tocommunicate with storage devices across the access networks. Morespecifically, the network environment 200 in FIG. 2 represents anexample of a deep cache infrastructure whereby deep caches 202, 204 and206 are deployed outside of access networks at a relatively closeproximity to the access networks' end-users/subscribers. Likewise, thenetwork environment 300 in FIGS. 3A and 3B represents an example of adeep cache infrastructure whereby deep caches (e.g., 320 a, 320 b, 320c) are deployed outside of access networks at a relatively closeproximity to the access networks' end-users/subscribers.

In the example configuration of FIG. 2, network environment 200comprises Internet 101, access network 104, CDN caches (DC) 110, and CDNcaches (HOU) 120. Although any number of CDNs can service and delivercontent to any of the regions and houses shown in FIG. 2, assume thatonly a single CDN services and delivers content to theend-users/subscribers of access network 104. In network environment 200,the CDN comprises a CDN Domain Name System (DNS) 201 that resides, atleast in part, within Internet 101 (and/or is communicably coupled toInternet 101) and is also communicably coupled across Internet 101 toCDN caches (DC) 110 and CDN caches (HOU) 120. CDN DNS 201 comprises oneor more CDN DNS servers that are responsive to requests for content fromend-users; and determines, based on several factors and parameters, atleast one appropriate or suitable CDN cache for delivering the requestedcontent to end-users.

Still referring to FIG. 2, shared caches 202, 204, and 206 are deployedon the client/subscriber-side of the access network 104. Each sharedcache is shared amongst proximately located end-users (e.g., via wiredaccess, Wi-Fi hotspot, powerlines, etc.). In a preferred embodiment,communication amongst the clients is accomplished by way of a newtechnology being developed named White Space Wi-Fi (or by way of one ormore of any other available and/or suitable wireless spectrums for thatmatter). Access network 104 comprises a DNS 214 having one or more DNSservers. In addition to providing conventional DNS services to end-usersof access network 104, DNS 214 can interact with CDN DNS 201 infurtherance of providing CDN access to end-users of access network 104(e.g., via redirection).

In embodiments described in FIG. 2, various functionality and techniquescan be used to effectively override the need for the DNS 214 and DNS 201in circumstances in which it is optimal for the shared caches 202, 204and 206 to deliver a resource that is requested by a client. FIG. 4 is aflow diagram illustrating a process for use in delivering a resource toa client in the network environment 200 in which a DNS resolver on aclient (or otherwise accessible to a client) redirects the client to ashared cache 202, 204 and 206 as opposed to resolving the client to theCDN caches (e.g., 120), in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. Such a circumstance occurs if the request (e.g., domain nameor any other identifying information in the case of a proxy) meetscertain “deep cache” criteria and/or thresholds. Exemplary deep cachecriteria and/or thresholds can be based on content-based characteristicssuch as popularity, size, type, genre, creation date, etc., and/orclient-based characteristics such as client device type, connectiontype/speed, storage capacity/availability, etc., and/or any otherdistinguishing factor or characteristic (e.g., on a hostname basis forDNS requests). If, however, a resource does not meet such criteria orthresholds, then the client engages in normal DNS resolution and isserved the requested resource from either a CDN cache 120 or an originserver.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a similar process as in FIG. 4,but instead employs a proxy instead of a DNS resolver on a client. Forexample, the proxy can be software executing on the client device or aseparate device capable of performing proxy server/cache functionality.In another embodiment, intelligent traffic management can be used tocomplement or supplement DNS processing.

Still referring to FIG. 2 and according to another example embodiment,each end-user (e.g., house) has access to its own domain name resolver(e.g., in conjunction with a PC, laptop, set-top box, Roku Box, smartphone, tablet, etc.). These end-user name resolvers can be pre-populatedand/or periodically/intermittently populated (via push and/or pull) witha list or mapping of specific domains that are determined to be popular,desirable, strategic, etc. by one or more content providers, CDNs, thirdparty entities, etc., or any combination thereof (or organically by thedomain name resolver itself using, for example, historic/cached data,histograms of traffic patterns, etc.). Additionally, end-user nameresolvers can be pre-populated and/or periodically/intermittentlypopulated (via push and/or pull) with a regular expression usable toidentify specifically requested domains that are similarly determined tobe popular, desirable, strategic, etc. In this manner, contentassociated with popular (or desirable, strategic, etc.) domains can bepreemptively loaded (i.e., pre-fetched) into one or more shared cachesso that the domain name resolver can immediately resolve the request forcontent to a shared cache directly connected (or indirectly connected,but in close proximity, that is, on the client-side of an accessnetwork) to the requesting end-user device. For example, if an end-userrequests content (e.g., via a web interface, set-top box, Roku^(SM) Box,etc.), the associated end-user domain name resolver can determine if thedomain associated with the requested content is deemed popular (e.g., bycomparing with the list or mapping of domains, comparing against aregular expression, etc.) and, if so, redirect the end-user device torequest content from at least one shared cache. Furthermore, CDNoperators, content providers, etc., can employ a centralized and/orregional system to dynamically and strategically distribute suchlists/mappings of domains or regular expressions to the various clientdevices.

Again referring to FIG. 2, another example embodiment employs one ormore proxy devices 208, 210 (e.g., DNS proxies) situated between theclient devices and DNS 214 of access network 104 whereby the proxies areoperable to transparently intercept client requests. Similar to theend-user name resolvers previously described, the proxies 208, 210 canbe pre-populated and/or periodically/intermittently populated (via pushand/or pull) with a list or mapping of specific domains that aredetermined to be popular, desirable, strategic, etc. by one or morecontent providers, CDNs, third party entities, etc., or any combinationthereof (or organically by the proxies themselves using, for example,historic/cached data, histograms of traffic patterns, etc.).Additionally, proxies can be pre-populated and/orperiodically/intermittently populated (via push and/or pull) with aregular expression usable to identify specifically requested domainsthat are similarly determined to be popular, desirable, strategic, etc.In this manner, content associated with popular (or desirable,strategic, etc.) domains can be preemptively loaded (i.e., pre-fetched)into one or more shared caches so that the proxy can redirect requestsfor content (e.g., via an HTTP redirect) to one or more shared cachesdirectly connected (or indirectly connected, but in close proximity,that is, on the client-side of an access network) to the requestingend-user device. For example, if an end-user requests content (e.g., viaa web interface, set-top box, Roku^(SM) Box, etc.), the proxy 208 or 210can intercept that request and determine if the domain associated withthe requested content is deemed popular (e.g., by comparing with thelist or mapping of domains) and, if so, redirect the end-user device torequest content from at least one shared cache. Note that a proxy is notnecessarily limited to analyzing the domain name associated with arequest (as may be the case with a DNS device or agent) and can analyzeadditional information in the request's URL (e.g., at the HTTP level)such as paths, tokens, hashes, name-value pairs, etc. Furthermore, CDNoperators, content providers, etc., can employ a centralized and/orregional system to dynamically and strategically distribute suchlists/mappings of domains (or paths, tokens, hashes, name-value pairs,etc.) and/or regular expressions to the various proxies.

According to an example embodiment, the proxies and/or DNSagents/devices can extract additional information from the clientrequest to better perform deep caching functionality (e.g., rendezvous)as described herein. For example, a client request can contain specificinformation such as the client or end user IP address, in home cache IPaddress, master cache IP address, content classification data (e.g.,title, type, encoding, etc.), delivery protocol, and the like. Thisspecific information can be added to the client request by softwareexecuting on the client device, by content providers, by CDNs, or by anyother suitable entity capable of modifying client requests.

It is also contemplated that one or more shared caches can perform theproxy functionality as described above. In such a configuration, andassuming the shared cache determines that the requested resource shouldbe served from at least one shared cache (e.g., based on popularity),the shared cache would: i) redirect the client to one or more othershared caches (e.g., if that shared cache does not have a copy or asubstantial portion of the requested content and/or the other sharedcaches do, if network conditions favor delivery from other sharedcaches, etc.); ii) “hand-off” the request to one or more other sharedcaches (e.g., transparently to the requesting client via TransmissionControl Protocol “TCP”) so that the other shared cache(s) can take overthe handling of the request and initiate delivery of the requestedcontent in lieu of a redirect; or, iii) serve the content itself (e.g.,if that shared cache has a copy or substantial portion of the requestedcontent or can retrieve a copy of the requested resource from anotherCDN cache or shared cache).

Turning now to FIG. 3A, the network environment 300 comprises Internet101, access network 104, CDN caches (DC) 110, and CDN caches (HOU) 120.Although any number of CDNs can service and deliver content to any ofthe regions and houses shown in FIG. 3A, assume that only a single CDNservices and delivers content to the end-users/subscribers of accessnetwork 104. In network environment 300, the CDN comprises a CDN DomainName System (DNS) 201 that resides, at least in part, within Internet101 (and/or is communicably coupled to Internet 101) and is alsocommunicably coupled across Internet 101 to CDN caches (DC) 110 and CDNcaches (HOU) 120. CDN DNS 201 comprises one or more CDN DNS servers thatare responsive to requests for content from end-users; and determines,based on several factors and parameters, at least one appropriate CDNcache for delivering the requested content to end-users.

Still referring to FIG. 3A, the network environment 300 also comprisesshared caches deployed on the client-side of the access network 104. Aswith FIG. 2, the shared caches shown in FIG. 3A are preferably operatedby the CDN provider. In contrast to the embodiments of FIG. 2, theshared caches reside as storage at a plurality of the client homes andare shared amongst the clients via a common network infrastructure 302,304 and 306, such as, without limitation, wired access, Wi-Fi hotspot,powerlines, etc. (also referred to as a “residential wireless cloud”).In a preferred embodiment, communication amongst the clients isaccomplished by way of White Space Wi-Fi or one or more of any otheravailable and/or suitable wireless spectrums. While shared caches 320a-320 c in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3A are only shown atthree clients, it should be appreciated that numerous clients includesuch shared caches 320 a-320 c and that an aggregate of such clientsthat operate shared caches (e.g., 320 a and 320 b) are referred to as a“community.” For example, each of common network infrastructure 302, 304and 306 can represent such a community.

In accordance with various embodiments described herein, a shared cache320 a, 320 b, 320 c depicted in FIG. 3A (also referred to as an “in homecache”) can be a device situated in residential homes and on residentialusers' home networks. Such a shared cache acts as a storage device forcontent that may be consumed by that residential user or other usersthat are reachable through a residential wireless cloud (e.g., commonnetwork infrastructure 302, 304, 306). The storage within the devicecould be any type of storage including, for example, spinning disk,flash memory, and the like. In addition to the storage, the shared cachehas software that allows it to participate as part of a CDN with theability to load content from the CDN and share content with othersimilar devices through the residential wireless cloud. To support theexchange of data through the residential wireless cloud, the sharedcache will have wireless transmission and receipt capabilities. Theshared cache can take on many forms including, for example, a standalonedevice that acts as an in-line cache in the home network, an end user PCwith the CDN-specific software loaded thereon and at least some of thedevice's storage allocated to this function, or the shared cache can beintegrated as a part of an in home appliance such as a television,gaming console or any other network connected devices.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example process for initializing the deep cachinginfrastructure of FIG. 3A in accordance with embodiments herein. Uponinitialization of a client device (e.g., boot-up, initialization of aprocess or application, installation of software, etc.), the clientdevice is prompted with an option to join a community. For example, theprompt may be presented via a graphical user interface (GUI) to a userof the client device. Then, if client device (e.g., via the GUI, apreconfigured setting, etc.) returns an affirmative decision to join thecommunity, the client device (and any in-home cache associatedtherewith) is added to the community. In one embodiment, the clientdevice (and/or its associated in-home cache) sends an “add me to thecommunity” indication to the master cache, community-designated proxy,and/or one or more other members (e.g., shared caches, client devices,in-home caches, etc.) of the community. In response, the master cache,community-designated proxy, and/or one or more other members of thecommunity update their respective community member lists to indicateinclusion of the newest member.

With regard to both network environment 200 and network environment 300,another embodiment of the present invention contemplates a capabilityfor a shared cache deployed within an access network to preemptively (orproactively) download and store/cache (e.g., pre-fetch) content that isdeemed popular (preferably occurring during off-peak hours for theaccess network and/or residential wireless cloud). For example, a sharedcache can receive popularity information from its CDN (or one or morecontent providers, third party entities, etc.) and/or derive its ownorganic popularity data (e.g., using historical data such as histogramsof traffic patterns, etc.) in furtherance of preemptively downloadingand storing content that has not yet been (or has been infrequently)requested from the shared cache—depending on the popularity algorithmsand policies being employed and enforced. For example, such popularitydeterminations may be used as a factor in connection with selection ofan appropriate shared cache for a particular client.

Continuing with the example embodiment above, the in home cache sends arequest (e.g., per a configured time and frequency) to a network basedpro-active content loading application (e.g., predictive content engine312). The request to the predictive content engine 312 contains theusage and other data collected by the in home cache that would be usefulin predicting content that may be requested by the end users in thehome. This request is preferably implemented using standard HTTP basedprotocols, although other protocols may be used as well. In turn, thepredictive content engine 312 analyzes the data sent from the in homecache and responds with a list of content that it believes the end-usersat home may want to watch at a future date. The in home cache thenprocesses the list of content provided by the predictive content engine312 and uses a proactive loading algorithm to determine which content inthe list, if any, should be loaded. For instance, the in home cache mayhave a configured set of times or network performance characteristicsthat specify an appropriate time for proactively loading the content.

FIG. 6B is a flow chart showing example processing steps of a proactiveloading algorithm used by an in home cache.

Any number of techniques may be used to determine the popularity of acontent object. For example, popularity of an object can be determinedbased on the number of requests and/or the request rate. Popular objectstypically have higher request rates or higher number of requests thanunpopular objects. Popularity can also be determined by tracking thelast X number of request times for an object and then using thedifference between the current time and the X number of request times tocalculate a running average for how often the object is requested.Similarly, popularity can be gauged on the request rate for an objectthat is weighted for more recent requests for the object (which is apredictor that the object will be requested again). As another example,an exponential decay method and an artificial neural network could beused to determine the popularity of an object.

According to an example embodiment of a popularity computation andreferring to FIG. 6C, the popularity of an object is based on therequest rate of the object which is computed over a sliding time windowin a discrete manner. As such, the variable I denotes the time intervalover which the popularity of an object is measured. The time interval isdivided into N equal sub-intervals of duration I/N. As will be apparent,the time interval is not required to be equally divided and may insteadbe divided in other manners. Furthermore, a linked list P of size N iscreated for each object. The value of N determines the quality ofapproximation (e.g., the smaller the value of N, the coarser theapproximation).

The first element P[1] of the list records the number of requests thatwere received when the current time was within the first sub-interval,the second element P[2] records the number of requests that werereceived when the current time was within the 2nd interval, and so on.When a new sub-interval is received, the list is rotated such that P[I]becomes P[I+1] (except for P[N] which becomes P[1]); so, for example,P[1] becomes P[2], P[2] becomes P[3], and P[N] becomes P[1]. After therotation, the new P[1] is reset to zero. Accordingly, only the end timeof the first sub-interval needs to be recorded and compared against thecurrent time to check if the list should be rotated. For each newrequest within the sub-interval, P[1] is simply incremented by 1. Inthis way, the arrival time of each request need not be recorded.

In another example embodiment, the popularity of an object is simply thesum of all numbers in the list. To make the computation more efficient,the sum of P[2]+P[3]+ . . . +P[N] is stored in a register M. Thepopularity can then be computed by adding P[1] to M. When a rotationoccurs, the new value of M becomes M+=P[1]−P[N]. Note that thepopularity of an object may be queried constantly. Thus, to avoid theextra addition involved for each such inquiry, the value of P[1] can beset to M after the rotation. Then, the value of P[1] is the popularityof the object.

Referring to FIG. 6C, an example popularity computation algorithm may besummarized as follows. The linked list P of size N for an object,wherein each of P[1] . . . P[N] represents a time sub-interval, isinitialized (at 605). The popularity M is also initialized (at 610). Ifthere is a request for the object while the current time is within thecurrent time sub-interval (at 615), then the value of P[1] isincremented by 1 (at 620). If the current time is within a new timesub-interval (at 625), then the value of P[1] is decremented by thevalue of M, M is incremented by P[1]-P[N], the list P is rotated, andP[1] is set to the value of M (at 630). Then, provided the popularitycomputation is continued (at 635), that is, the popularity computationis not terminated, the popularity computation algorithm repeats itself.

Furthermore, any number of techniques may be used to initiatereplication of an object. A cache server (or in home cache) mightreplicate an object on the first request by a client for the object.Alternatively, the cache server (or in home cache) may be tuned to waituntil a specific number or range of requests are received for theobject. In other implementations, the object may be pulled or replicatedif the object is more popular (e.g., has a higher request rate) than theleast popular object currently in storage. In yet another alternative,the replicating decision can be a function of the popularity of theobject, the cost of storing the object, the (available) storage capacityof the cache server (or in home cache) and/or the type of storage (e.g.,spinning disk, flash memory, etc.), the cost of pulling the object fromthe network (e.g., network capacity), as well as any other relevant costfactors. Note that since the popularity of objects may changesignificantly with time, initiating a pull decision of an object basedpurely on a fixed threshold does not necessarily capture this dynamicnature of popularity.

A replication policy that compares against the least popular ofreplicated objects has its limitations, although the policy does not usea fixed threshold. Consider where the storage is only half full but allthe replicated objects are extremely popular. Since only objectsexceeding the least popular of the replicated objects will be replicatedunder this replication policy, objects with moderate popularity will berejected despite the fact that there is plenty of storage spaceavailable and the objects are reasonably popular.

Accordingly, a replication scheme should be able to automatically adjustthe replication threshold by taking into consideration the dynamicnature of popularity and the available storage capacity. If there aremore popular objects than the storage capacity allows, the replicationscheme should raise the threshold. If there is more available storagecapacity, the replication scheme should decrease the threshold so thatmore objects can be stored.

According to an example embodiment of a replication scheme and referringto FIG. 6D, an object is replicated into storage (at 650) when thepopularity P of the object is greater than the initial threshold P_(I)(at 640) and when there is enough space in the storage to replicate theobject (at 645). If there is not enough storage to replicate therequested object, a replacement algorithm is performed in which thepopularity P of the object is compared against the popularity P_(L) ofthe least popular object in the storage (at 655). If P is greater thanP_(L), the current least popular object is added to a candidate list forremoval (at 660). If it is determined that upon removing the object(s)in the candidate list (initially only the most recent least popularobject) there would be enough storage (at 670), then the object(s) inthe candidate list are removed and P_(L) is updated (at 690), and thenthe object is replicated into storage (at 650). If, on the other hand,it is determined that upon removing the object(s) in the candidate listthere would not be enough storage (at 670), then it is determinedwhether P_(L) is P_(M) (i.e., where P_(M) is the current most popularobject) (at 675) and, if so, P_(L) is reset to the initial least popularobject (at 685) and the operation ends without replication (i.e., therewould not be enough storage if all P_(L) through P_(M) objects wereremoved). If P_(L) is not yet P_(M), then P_(L) is updated (i.e.,iterated) and the operation cycles again to step 655. Note that thecandidate list mitigates the risk of removing one or more objects fromstorage before ever replicating an object since, as the case may be, theobject may not even be replicated after performing the removaloperations (e.g., because the object is larger than the overall storagecapacity).

In an example embodiment, an in home cache (e.g., shared cache 320 a,320 b, 320 c) has the capability of collecting and storing usage datafor the client devices that are requesting content from within thecommunity or common network infrastructure to which it is connected. Forexample, this data could be a record of actual content played on in homedevices, information describing other internet usage occurring in thehome, GPS information that provides physical location data, demographicor user preference data entered by users in the home through aninterface provided by the software on the in home cache, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 3A, the community of shared caches can usevarious techniques for request handling/processing, distributed storage,and delivery of content. For example, in one example embodiment aparticular shared cache in the community is designated as a master cache(e.g., shared cache 320 a) while the other shared caches in thecommunity function in a subordinate manner to this master cache. Themaster/subordinate designations can be assigned by the CDN, contentprovider, and/or by the community of shared caches themselves. Contentrequests originating within the community can be routed through themaster cache or transparently intercepted similar to the proxyfunctionality previously discussed. Upon receiving such a request, themaster cache can determine whether or not the request should be servicedby one or more of the shared caches in the community (or, possibly, oneor more shared caches in one or more separate communities) based ontechniques previously described (e.g., popularity, filtering againstdomain lists/mappings or regular expressions, etc.). Or, alternatively,the master cache can receive a request from a client device in thecommunity that has already made such a determination via the clientdomain name server (i.e., wherein the client's domain name serverresolved the request to the master cache). Either way, if it isdetermined that the request should be serviced from within thecommunity, the master cache can (initially or further) redirect therequesting client to one or more shared caches in the community, and/orservice the request and initiate delivery of the content itself.

It should be noted that the master cache may or may not be associatedwith (or operated in conjunction with) a particular client or housewithin the community. In other words, the master cache could be anindependent or stand-alone shared cache as described above with respectto FIG. 2.

It should be further noted that a community-designated proxy (e.g.,proxy 310) may be substituted for the master cache in order to perform(transparent) interception and redirection of content requests thatoriginate from within the community to other shared caches within thecommunity.

Still further it should be noted that the functionality associated witha master cache or community-designated proxy is not necessarily limitedto a single device. As such, two or more devices within, a community mayshare such master cache and/or proxy functionality (e.g., as astatically or dynamically designated secondary, tertiary, etc., mastercache/proxy). For example, such distributed or redundant mastercache/proxy functionality can be useful for load-balancing, failover,scalability, etc.

Continuing with the example embodiment above, the master cache canmonitor and maintain an awareness of the other subordinate sharedservers and the content stored thereon. For instance, the master cachecan maintain a table or a mapping that includes, by way of non-limitingexample, data associated with content stored on each shared cache (e.g.,object names/titles, object/file sizes, partial object/file data,specific content location information such as URLs or portions thereof,etc.), load and/or storage capacity of each shared cache, cache statusinformation (e.g., whether or not a shared cache is functional oronline), global popularity of stored content (i.e., per a CDN or contentprovider), local popularity of stored content (i.e., per one or morecommunities), and the like. The master cache canperiodically/intermittently pull this information from each subordinateshared cache and/or each shared cache can periodically/intermittentlypush this information to the master cache. Having collected suchcommunity awareness information, the master cache can then use thisinformation to redirect content requests originating within thecommunity to the most appropriate or suitable shared cache(s) in thecommunity. Community awareness information can also be used infurtherance of traffic engineering techniques such as bandwidththrottling (due to the asymmetric nature of CDN traffic flows) and loadshedding amongst the community of shared caches.

Note that a content request can be serviced by one or more caches thatserve one or more different portions of the requested content to therequesting client (simultaneously and/or at different times).

In yet another example embodiment with reference to FIG. 3A, a commonaddressing scheme is used to determine the most appropriate or suitableshared cache(s) in the community for servicing a request for content. Assuch, each shared server in the community would be assigned a commonaddress (e.g., IP address). Assume, for example, that a client withinthe community makes a content request and it is determined that therequested content should be served from a shared cache within thecommunity (i.e., the determination being made via the client's nameserver, master cache, or via a community-designated proxy, as previouslydiscussed). In such a case, the client's name resolver would resolve therequest to the common address, or the proxy would redirect the requestto the common address. Thus, by using the common address the clientwould send (or broadcast) the request to each shared cache in thecommunity and, in doing so, the client can select which shared cache(s)will ultimately serve the content (typically the first shared cache torespond with an indication that it is able and willing to service therequest).

It is also contemplated that a master cache or community-designatedproxy can further use this common addressing scheme on a more granularlevel. For example, a master cache or community-designated proxy canassociate a common address to particular content (thus assigning thecommon address to only those shared caches that have the particularcontent) such that requests will be redirected to only those sharedservers that have the particular content. In one example embodiment, afirst set of shared caches in a community are designated for storing andservicing a first type of content/service, while a second set of sharedcaches are designated for storing and servicing a second type ofcontent/service. As such, the first set of shared caches could beassigned a first common address so that requests for a first type ofcontent would be redirected (or resolved) to only the first set, whilethe second set of shared caches could be assigned a second commonaddress so that requests for a second type of content would beredirected (or resolved) to only the second set, and so on.

According to yet another example embodiment, a client can issue a typeof point-to-multipoint content request (e.g., per a redirect) to eachshared cache in the community. To do this, the client would be provided(e.g., by a CDN, content provider, master cache, community-designatedproxy, etc.) a list of addresses (e.g., IP addresses) of each sharedcache in the community. In this sense, the designation of the communityof shared caches can be access network or ISP independent. Note that thelist can be dynamically updated and modified by whichever entityprovides the list to the client.

In another example embodiment, the community of shared caches is basedon one or more subnets of the access network or ISP. In thisconfiguration, a client can issue a content request (e.g., per aredirect) to each shard cache in the community by broadcasting therequest to one or more access network or ISP subnet address.

A further embodiment contemplates the use of multicasting (e.g., IPmulticasting) for content request routing/handling among a community ofshared caches. In such a configuration, each shared cache (e.g., upongoing online) would register with a multicast address group associatedwith each of the other shared caches in the community (e.g., usingInternet Group Management Protocol “IGMP”). Thus, a client associatedwith a shared cache can issue a content request (e.g., per a redirect)to its multicast group to which each of the other shared caches incommunity have subscribed. In an example embodiment, the master cache orcommunity-designated proxy administers and manages the multicast groupsby keeping track of which shared caches belong to the community.

In FIG. 3B, network environment 300 comprises common networkinfrastructure 304 with shared caches 320 a-320 d and proxy 310 havingthe same or similar functionality as those elements described in FIG.3A. In this example configuration, CDN caches 120 are operable tocommunicate with proxy 310 (and/or one or more of shared caches 320a-320 d) via a wireless connection 350, such as, for example usingpoint-to-point microwave communication. For instance, in an exampleembodiment wireless connection 350 utilizes various Ubiquiti™point-to-point and/or point-to-multipoint technologies. It should beunderstood and appreciated that the wireless connection 350 may alsoutilize any other wireless technology, equipment, spectrum, etc.,commonly known in the art.

The example configuration of FIG. 3B further depicts proxy 310communicably coupled to one or more shared caches 320, and each sharedcache 320 communicably coupled to one or more other shared cache 320,via a respective Wi-Fi network or hotspot (e.g., FON Spot™), or similarwireless technology, associated with each of proxy 310 and shared caches320 a-320 d. For example, this wireless interconnectivity amongst proxy310 and shared caches 320 may be topologically configured as a meshnetwork or shared bandwidth network topology. Such a mesh network (orshared bandwidth network) can be logically and/or physically partitionedinto a plurality of sub-networks within a common network infrastructure,wherein each sub-network comprises one or more shared caches. In thisvein, each sub-network within a common network infrastructure may have aseparate and subordinate master cache or proxy having functionality inaccordance with embodiments herein. For example, the CDN and/or mastercache (or proxy) of a common network infrastructure may designate asubordinate master cache or proxy for each sub-network in the commonnetwork infrastructure, whereby the designated subordinate master cacheor proxy would be responsible (per master cache embodiments previouslydescribed) for shared caches within its respective sub-network.

Still referring to FIG. 3B, and during general operation, CDN caches 120are operable to transmit content to proxy 310 and/or shared caches 320via wireless connection 350 and thereby bypass access network 104. Inother words, even though a content request originating from withincommon infrastructure 304 may traverse access network 104 beforeeventually reaching CDN DNS 201, the content served from the CDN tocommon network infrastructure 304 may bypass access network 104altogether via wireless connection 350. The wireless connection 350 mayfurther be operable to multiplex a plurality of channels fortransmission of content from CDN caches to devices in a common networkinfrastructure. Note that it is further contemplated that one or moreproximately situated wireless transmission systems/devices associatedwith one or more CDN caches can transmit content to a common networkinfrastructure (therefore bypassing an intervening access network).

For example, in one embodiment content is transmitted from CDN caches120 to one or more devices in common network infrastructure 304 inresponse to a user or client device's request for content originatingfrom within common network infrastructure 304. In another exampleembodiment, content is transmitted from CDN caches 120 to one or moredevices in common network infrastructure 304 in response to adetermination (e.g., by predictive content engine 312) that proxy 310and/or one or more shared caches 320 should be pre-populated withcertain content.

Note that once content arrives at one or more devices within commonnetwork infrastructure 304 via wireless connection 350, the content maybe processed/handled/distributed/cached/etc. in accordance withtechniques previously described in FIG. 3A.

Deep Caching with Wireless Networks

At a high level, FIGS. 7-10 illustrate example network environments 700,800, 900, and 1000, respectively, which are suitable for implementingvarious embodiments disclosed herein. Similar to the configurationspreviously described, these networks are used to deliver resources toclients (also commonly referred to as user equipment “UE”) that arecommunicatively connected to a wireless network (examples of which aredescribed below), and each include embodiments of what are referred tointerchangeably as “deep caches,” “shared caches,” “local caches,” or“transparent caches,” (collectively referred to as “flex caches”) whichare intended to represent cache devices situated within or around thewireless network. Such so-called “flex caches,” which can be operated byor on behalf of CDN providers, wireless network providers, contentproviders, other third party entities, etc., and/or any combinationthereof, provide client devices (or UEs) the opportunity to request andretrieve resources without having to necessarily communicate withstorage devices/servers across the Internet (and/or any other wirelinenetwork to which the wireless network directly or indirectly connects).

In particular, the flex caches (and, in some example implementations, inconnection with particular servers such as redirection/translationservers) provide deep caching functionality as previously described suchthat content can be stored/cached within the wireless network (e.g.,preemptively or dynamically caching content, for example, from contentproviders associated with the CDN). According to example embodiments,the flex caches can also provide transparent caching of content as thecontent is retrieved upstream from the CDN (or from other storagedevices/servers either directly or indirectly connected to or located inthe Internet). In another example embodiment, the flex caches canpre-fetch content (e.g., when content becomes or is deemed popular ordesirable), thus enabling faster and more efficient delivery of contentto clients/UEs of the wireless network.

It should be noted that the wireless networks described herein are notlimited to any particular wireless network configuration, standard,protocol, or generation. For instance, wireless networks arecontemplated to include second, third, or fourth generation (2G/3G/4G)mobile/cellular networks such as, for example, 3G UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPAnetworks (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System/High-Speed DownlinkPacket Access/High-Speed Uplink Packet Access), GSM/GPRS networks(Global System for Mobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service),4G LTE/WiMax networks (Long Term Evolution/Worldwide Interoperabilityfor Microwave Access), CDMA networks (Code Division Multiplex Access),and the like, as well as Wi-Fi networks, satellite networks, and/or anyother networks or wireless spectrums capable of directly or indirectlydelivering content to wirelessly connected clients/UEs. The embodimentsdescribed herein also contemplate integration and interoperability withfuture configurations, standards, protocols, and generations of wirelessnetworks.

Turning now to FIG. 7, the example network environment 700 comprisesInternet 101, CDN caches 120, at least one CDN DNS 201, cellular corenetwork 705, and Radio Network Controller (RNC) backhaul network 710.Internet 101 is communicably coupled with cellular core network 705 viaat least one Gateway GPRS Service Node (GGSN) 715, and cellular corenetwork 705 is communicably coupled with RNC backhaul network 710 via atleast one Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 720. RNC backhaul network 710is communicably coupled with one or more RNCs 725, and the RNCs 725 arecommunicably coupled with one or more Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs)or Node Bs 730 (the RNCs 725 and BTSs/Node Bs 730 collectively form aso-called Radio Access Network “RAN”). Node Bs 730 are operable towirelessly communicate with UEs 735 (e.g., clients using wirelessdevices such as smart phones, tablets, laptops, or any other devicessuitable for wirelessly connecting to a network).

Example network environment 700 further comprises a cache hierarchy inthe wireless network including zero or more flex caches 740 situated ator between GGSN 715 and SGSN 720 (e.g., within cellular core network705), zero or more flex caches 745 situated at or between SGSN 720 andRNCs 725 (e.g., within RNC backhaul network 710), and zero or more flexcaches 750 situated at or between RNCs 725 and their respective Node Bs730.

Although any number of CDNs can service and deliver content to wirelessnetworks, it should be noted that as in the previous embodiments andfigures, assume that only a single CDN services and delivers content tothe clients/UEs 735 in FIGS. 7-10.

Still referring to FIG. 7, and in general operation, the CDN is operableto deliver content to clients/UEs 735 via any of the flex caches in thecache hierarchy of the wireless network. For example, and in conjunctionwith techniques previously described, content may be preemptively storedon any of the flex caches 740, 745, or 750, to anticipate requests forcontent from clients/UEs 735. Content may be stored on different cacheswithin the hierarchy depending on the policies implemented by the CDN,content provider, and/or the wireless network provider (e.g., popularitycomputation algorithms and replications policies per FIGS. 6B-6D). Thepolicies can include factors such as, for example, content popularity,content type, content size, information associated with the client orthe user equipment, transmission protocol, data format, networkconditions, etc. Example data flows (i.e., requests for content,inter-cache communications, redirection of requests, distributed storageschemes/protocols/communications, and delivery of content, etc.) arediscussed below with respect to FIGS. 8-10.

FIG. 8 depicts an example network environment 800 similar to the examplenetwork environment 700 of FIG. 7, and further comprises one or moreredirection/translation servers 805 situated at or between GGSN 715 andSGSN 720 (e.g., within the cellular core network 705).Redirection/translation server 805 is configured to handle and redirectrequests for content within the wireless network. As conventionalwireless networks (i.e., cellular/mobile networks) are currently notcapable of (or are otherwise ineffective at) handling/processingtraditional Layer 3 or higher communications (e.g., DNS name resolving,HTTP requests for content, File Transfer Protocol “FTP” or Peer-to-Peer“P2P” communications, etc.), the redirection/translation server 805 canbe used to translate requests (e.g., via decapsulation andre-encapsulation) from the wireless domain and then process thoserequests as if a traditional wireline network device (e.g., DNS server,CDN cache/server, proxy server, etc.) were handling the request. In anexample embodiment, the redirect/translation server 805 is configured totransparently intercept and handle a request for content from aclient/UE 735 before the request exits the wireless network (i.e.,before the request is passed to the Internet for furtherhandling/processing). According to another example embodiment,redirection/translation server 805 is capable of redirecting sessionswithin the wireless network. Using information about where or howcontent is stored within the CDN (i.e., either in the Internet 101 orwithin the cache hierarchy of the wireless network at the various flexcaches), the redirection/translation server 805 can redirect a contentrequest to a flex cache suitable for efficiently delivering content tothe requesting client/UE 735.

Similar to embodiments previously described, redirection/translationservers can be pre-populated and/or periodically/intermittentlypopulated with a list or mapping of specific domains that are determinedto be popular, desirable, strategic, etc. by one or more contentproviders, CDNs, third party entities, etc., or any combination thereof(or by even the redirection/translation servers themselves using, forexample, historic/cached data). Note that regular expressions may beused in addition to the list or mapping of specific domains aspreviously described. In this manner, content associated with popular(or desirable, strategic, etc.) domains can be preemptively loaded intoone or more flex caches so that the translation/redirection servers canredirect UE-initiated requests for content (e.g., via an HTTP redirect)to one or more flex caches. For example, if a UE requests content, theredirection/translation server 805 can handle/process that request anddetermine if the domain associated with the requested content is deemedpopular (e.g., by comparing with the list or mapping of domains,comparing against a regular expression, etc.) and, if so, redirect theUE to request content from at least one flex cache. Furthermore, CDNoperators, content providers, etc., can employ a centralized and/orregional system to dynamically and strategically distribute suchlists/mappings of domains (or regular expressions) to the variousredirection/translation servers.

According to example embodiments, the suitability of the flex cache fordelivering the content may be based on factors such as, for example,whether the flex cache already has a copy (or at least a portion) of therequested content, the proximity of the flex cache to the client/UE(physically and/or logically), network conditions within the wirelessnetwork, global or local popularity of the content, content size,content type, transmission protocol, data format, information associatedwith the client or user equipment, etc. Redirect/translation server 805can become aware of where or how content is stored within the wirelessnetwork via updates (e.g., push or pull) from the flex caches (e.g.,either individually or via a hierarchical flow of information) or fromthe CDN devices in the Internet 101 (e.g., CDN DNS 201 or CDN caches120).

FIG. 9 depicts an example network environment 900 similar to the examplenetwork environment 800 of FIG. 8, and further comprises one or moreredirection/translation servers 905 situated at or between SGSN 720 andRNCs 725 (e.g., within the RNC backhaul network 710). In addition to aflex cache hierarchical structure, example network environment 900further represents a redirection/translation server hierarchicalstructure. As such, redirection/translation server functionality can beutilized at various levels/tiers/depths/etc. within the wirelessnetwork.

FIG. 9 additionally shows an on-air cache 910 in communication with aflex cache 750 associated with an RNC 725. According to an exampleembodiment, the on-air cache 910 serves as a sort of hotspot for UEs 735(e.g., Wi-Fi at airports, stadiums, malls, hotels, office buildings,etc.), wherein the on-air cache 910 can cache and serve various contentin accordance with techniques described herein. The on-air cache 910 hassimilar access network deep caching functionality and provides similaradvantages as the shared caches and in home caches described above. Forexample, in one embodiment the on-air cache 910 preemptively (orproactively) pre-fetches popular content using algorithms as previouslydescribed with respect to FIGS. 6B-6D. In another example embodiment,UEs 735 send (e.g., broadcast) their content requests to both Node Bs730 and on-air caches 910. If the request is serviceable by the on-aircache 910 (i.e., the on-air cache has a copy of the content or thecontent is deemed to be adequately popular to merit replication at theon-air cache), UEs 735 can bypass the cellular/mobile network (i.e., therequest and/or content would not necessarily have to traverse most ifnot all of the cellular/mobile network) by having their requestedcontent served locally via the on-air cache 910. An anycast scheme isfurther contemplated for request routing/handling among Node Bs 730 andon-air caches 910. Note that although the on-air cache 910 is depictedas being communicatively coupled to a flex cache 750 of an RNC 725 inthis example embodiment, it is contemplated that the on-air cache 910can also be communicatively coupled to the CDN via any other flex cache,CDN cache, or similar device over any part of a wireless and/or wirelinenetwork.

FIG. 10 depicts an example network environment 1000 that representsvarious data flows (e.g., data plane or content flows, control/serviceplane or inter-cache communications flows, etc.) among respective flexcache hierarchical levels within the wireless network. Although notshown in FIG. 10, assume that the example data flows (represented by theperforated lines) apply to redirection/translation server hierarchicallevels within the wireless network as well. Such data flows can include,for example, redirection of content requests, content request hand-offsamong flex caches (e.g., transparent to UEs), peer requests/fills amongflex caches, distribution/maintenance of CDN policies, awarenessinformation (e.g., how or where content is stored, network conditions,etc.), and the like. Furthermore, Node Bs 730 may communicate with oneanother (e.g., peer requests/fills, distributed storage of content,etc.) by way of a White Space Wi-Fi or one or more of any otheravailable and/or suitable wireless spectrums.

Similar to the embodiments described with respect to FIG. 3A, it iscontemplated that a plurality of proximately situated flex caches(preferably in the same hierarchical tier) can form a community ofshared caches having a master flex cache and subordinate flex caches.Likewise, it is also contemplated that a plurality of proximatelysituated UEs (preferably associated/in communication with the same NodeB 730) can form a community of shared caches having a master UE andsubordinate UEs. In such a configuration, the UEs could request, store,and serve/distribute content amongst one another (i.e., independent fromthe CDN or flex caches) in a similar fashion as the community of sharedcaches previously described.

Note that the placement/configuration of the flex caches and/orredirect/translation servers (or any device, system, module,software/executable code, etc., having functionality consistent withembodiments herein) within a wireless network is not limited to theexample network environments of FIGS. 7-10, and it should be appreciatedand understood that zero or more of such flex caches and/orredirection/translation servers (and/or functionality associatedtherewith) can be situated at/configured in any of the various logicaland physical locations within a wireless, mobile, satellite, etc.,network, or at any point where requests can be routed to an originserver. It should also be appreciated and understood that the flexcaches can additionally perform some or all of the functionality of theredirection/translation servers and/or CDN DNS servers as describedherein.

Although the present invention has been described with reference tovarious embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to the details thereof. Various modifications and substitutionswill occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. All such substitutionsare intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for use in delivering resources toclient devices in a local network, the system comprising: a plurality ofcaching devices operable to cache resources on behalf of a plurality ofcontent providers, wherein the plurality of caching devices comprise atleast one hardware processor operable to execute instructions stored inmemory; and a local caching device communicatively situated between anaccess network and the client devices, wherein the access network iscommunicably situated between the plurality of caching devices and thelocal caching device, and wherein the local caching device is operableto: in response to a request for a resource by a client device, retrievethe requested resource from at least one of the plurality of cachingdevices, wherein the requested resource is transmitted between the atleast one plurality of caching devices and the local caching device overa wireless connection thereby bypassing the access network; deliver therequested resource to the client device over the local network; andstore the requested resource for future requests by other clientdevices.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of caching devices is part of a cluster of cachingdevices.
 3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein, in response tothe local caching device requesting the requested resource from the atleast one of the plurality of caching devices, the at least one of theplurality of caching devices is operable to retrieve the requestedresource from at least one of: an origin server of the content providerassociated with the requested resource; and a peer caching device. 4.The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the local caching device isdedicated to the client device.
 5. The system as recited in claim 1,wherein the local caching device is a master cache accessible by acommunity of local caching devices.
 6. The system as recited in claim 5,wherein the community of local caching devices is communicativelycoupled via a shared wireless frequency in the local network.
 7. Thesystem as recited in claim 6, wherein the local network is configured inat least one of a mesh network topology and a shared bandwidth topology.8. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a proxy deviceoperable to intercept a request for the requested resource.
 9. Thesystem as recited in claim 8, wherein the request is a Domain NameSystem (DNS) request, the proxy device further operable to redirect theclient device to the local caching device for delivery of the requestedresource over the local network.
 10. The system as recited in claim 8,wherein the request is an application protocol request, the proxy devicefurther operable to redirect the client device to the local cachingdevice for delivery of the requested resource over the local network.11. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the application protocolrequest is a Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request.
 12. The systemas recited in claim 8, wherein the proxy device is the local cachingdevice.
 13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein, in response tointercepting the request for the requested resource, the local cachingdevice is operable to redirect the client device to a second localcaching device communicatively situated between the access network andthe client device, wherein the local caching device and the second localcaching device are communicatively coupled via a shared wirelessfrequency in the local network.
 14. The system as recited in claim 13,wherein the second local caching device is operable to: in response tothe redirected request by the client device, retrieve the requestedresource from at least one of the plurality of caching devices, whereinthe requested resource is transmitted between the at least one pluralityof caching devices and the second local caching device over the localnetwork via the shared wireless frequency; deliver the requestedresource to the client device over the local network; and store therequested resource for future requests by other client devices.
 15. Thesystem as recited in claim 8, wherein the proxy device is furtheroperable to determine, based on certain criteria, to which of aplurality of local caching devices to redirect the client device fordelivery of the requested resource over a local wireless connection. 16.The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the certain criteria for eachof the plurality of local caching devices comprises at least one ofavailability, relative load, relative connectivity, availability, andwhether a given local caching device has a copy of the requestedresource.
 17. A system for use in delivering resources to client devicesin a local network, the system comprising: a plurality of cachingdevices operable to cache resources on behalf of a plurality of contentproviders, wherein the plurality of caching devices comprise at leastone hardware processor operable to execute instructions stored inmemory; and a local caching device communicatively situated between anaccess network and the client devices, wherein the access network iscommunicably situated between the plurality of caching devices and thelocal caching device, and wherein the local caching device is operableto: in response to a determination that a certain resource is to bepre-populated on the local caching device, retrieve the certain resourcefrom at least one of the plurality of caching devices, wherein thecertain resource is transmitted between the at least one plurality ofcaching devices and the local caching device over a wireless connectionthereby bypassing the access network; store the certain resource forfuture requests by the client devices.
 18. A method for deliveringresources to client devices in a local network, wherein a local cachingdevice is communicatively situated between an access network and theclient devices, and wherein the access network is communicably situatedbetween a plurality of caching devices and the local caching device, themethod comprising: caching resources at the plurality of caching deviceson behalf of a plurality of content providers; in response to a requestfor a resource by a client device, transmitting the requested resourcefrom at least one of the plurality of caching devices to the localcaching device over a wireless connection thereby bypassing the accessnetwork; receiving the requested resource at the local caching devicefrom the at least one of the plurality of caching devices delivering therequested resource to the client device over the local network; andstoring the requested resource for future requests by other clientdevices.